Austin Beutner drops out of mayor's race

The businessman turned deputy mayor turned mayoral candidate said he couldn't "devote the time to this and balance it with my family." Beutner, very much an outsider in a race that's dominated by City Hall veterans, had been considered an unlikely pick. His polling numbers were low (name recognition clearly a factor) and unlike folks like Jan Perry and Wendy Greuel, he lacked any built-in constituency. Beutner's decision will no doubt renew speculation about businessman Rick Caruso, who remains on the sidelines (despite outspoken comments about the way City Hall is being run). (h/t Sausage Factory, LAT)